A month has passed since the beautiful night Atticus and I shared at the Maycomb High School: Ad Astra Per Aspera Halloween Pageant, and life couldn't be better. Since my trial, Bob Ewell hasn't dared to show his face at school, let alone around town. My classmates seem to have forgotten about the whole ordeal, but I still have nightmares about it. I'm lucky that Atticus stepped up to defend my honor: No one else is as bold and clever. I tried to thank Mayella for acting as my witness, but oddly enough she hasn't been seen in a while.

This last month has been heaven for my relationship with Atticus. We spent Thanksgiving last week at his home. I felt truly welcomed into his family and I think I got their approval!

To be honest, things have gotten a little boring around school. Without Bob breathing down my neck I've been able to relax. I've even gotten better at managing with only one hand.

Monday morning, I meet up with Atticus in front of the trophy case, as is our routine. I see him walking towards me in a cozy winter sweater carrying two coffee cups.

I grin at him, "Why, aren't you dolled up for the Christmas season!"

Atticus is unaffected by my light teasing, laughing it off as he hands me one of the coffees, "Good morning to you too!"

"Thank you!" I say, leaning in to kiss his temple. I decide to be daring, "As much as I love that sweater on you, I'd love it even more if it was on the floor," I whisper into his ear.

He turns beet red. One more point for me.

To my dismay he decides it's best to ignore that comment. "You like my sweater? My Aunt Harper knitted it for me!"

"It's nice!" I take a sip from my coffee. It's hot.

Atticus looks a little anxious, that's not a good sign.

"What's up?" I prompt.

He hesitates, taking a deep breath, "Speaking of my Aunt Harper, she's hosting our family for the holidays. She's the one with the massive mountain cabin that holds like twenty people."

That sounds cozy. I've never spent Christmas away from home before, but I guess if you have rich family members that's certainly a way to go.

"That's great, Atti! So it'll be just the two of us then? I couldn't think of anything more romantic."

I'm already making plans for our winter break. We could fit so many dates into our schedule. Maybe it'll even snow this year!

He's looking even more uncomfortable now. "Actually, Tom, it won't. My family is expecting me to go too. I'll be a couple hundred miles away from you."

My eyes start to water.

"I wish I wasn't, really! But my family hasn't gotten together like this in ages and we really need this. You'll be okay on your own, right? There's always next Christmas."

"It's alright," I start to walk away, leaving Atticus behind.

The coffee tastes bitter now. It's not alright. I couldn't think of a worse situation to be in. I'm devastated and it didn't seem like Atticus was willing to give me an invite.

But I've made plans before. I can make this right. Everything I've done during my time at Maycomb High School has been for Atticus. I vandalized school property, I broke him and Bob Ewell up, and now I have to save Christmas.

This will be my perfect year.

A/N: 10 months, can you believe it? Welcome to the Christmas Arc of A Perfect Year. For once, we kinda have a plan. Thank you for sticking with us! Your comments are so kind.

Threes!

Dasie and May